Upcoming Art Retreats with Creativebug Artists

If you’ve never considered it before, an art retreat is an amazing way to rejuvenate, recharge, and learn a new skill. Our talented bunch of Creativebug instructors are running all kinds of classes, workshops, and getaways around the world and we want to make sure you don’t miss the chance to hang out with them. (They’re all pretty cool. Like us.) Need some help finding the right one? We have quite a few suggestions, so keep scrolling until you find the one that’s a perfect fit. The events are listed in chronological order.

What: Free Washer Bracelet Workshop presented by GoGo Craft at the Museum of Craft and Design. Take a boring, old tee and turn it into a fabulous new bracelet! Add in a few metal washers (yup, the kind you can find at a hardware store) and before you know it you will have a new accessory that you won’t want to part with. This no-sew project is perfect for beginning DIYers .

What: Hang with Brandon Mably and Kaffe Fassett as they tour the world. Both will be giving individual color workshops and lectures, but you can also sign up for knitting and patchwork classes taught by Brandon and Kaffe simultaneously. Are you as tempted as we are?

What: Head to the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park to celebrate Valentine’s Day at NightLife and create your very own Pop Up Card. Paper, cool templates, stamps, markers, and colored pencils will be provided. Everything you need to create a one of a kind greeting for your special someone.

What: Attend this conference for a weekend-long dose of all things craft. Sign up for Melanie Falick’s fantastic beaded leather wrap bracelet class, and listen to her speak on a panel discussing how to get a book published. Rad Megan will be teaching some seriously-awesome photography classes. Courtney Cerruti will be teaching classes on image transfer techniques, artist trading cards and how to make paper flowers. Amelia will be teaching classes on how to make slippers, upcycled fingerless gloves and fold-over bags.

What: The Makerie is a magical place where people make things with their hands, learn new skills, and become best friends. We’ve actually partnered with the Makerie before to bring you some Creativebug classes, but nothing beats the live version. Especially when it’s with Rebecca and Cal.

What: Shakerag retreats are an opportunity for adults of all skill levels to immerse themselves in a week-long class that focuses on a specific media — pottery, painting, bookbinding — in historic Shakerag Hollow in Tennessee. From the website:

The Legend: Shakerag Hollow is named for an old Sewanee custom whereby residents could procure moonshine before the advent of liquor stores. A customer wanting moonshine would come to the bluff at Beckweth Point, near what is now the fourth hole of the Sewanee golf course, shake a rag at the moonshiner who lived down in the hollow, and leave money for a purchase in a tree stump. Then, as the song about Uncle Bill puts it, “you go ’round the bend, and when you come back, then, there’s a jug full o’ good ole mountain dew.” When he returned, the customer would find a jar of moonshine left in the stump, and the money removed.

Small class sizes, a close-knit community and ample opportunities for swimming and yoga make this a serious escape from everyday life. You might just emerge with a few best friends and a fabulous new skill. Make a stitcherly book with Jody Alexander and learn how to make your own clothes with Cal Patch.

What: Spend a few days at Squam and you won’t be able to find words to describe it either. Squam’s classes are designed to encourage individual expression, insane creativity, and personal expansion. Courtney will be teaching mixed media and Maya will be running sewing workshops.

What: Mothers, sign up with your daughters for a weekend of sewing, crafts, and custom portraits. Grown up pairs welcome.

*Anna Maria Horner will also be attending the Modern Quilt Guild (and hosting a home studio tour) which is sadly sold out at this time, but is an amazing event that you might want to put on your calendar for 2015.

What: We know the site is still showing the 2013 lineup, but it is slated to be updated shortly. And when it is, you should sign up for Shana’s Cat Eye class, or her retro hairstyling and makeup classes in the Beauty Bungalow. And check out the eclectic mix of other classes (when it’s been updated, of course) – there are some seriously awesome choices.